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The Upper Araguaia River Basin has already been recognized as a remarkable symbol of the intense social and environmental changes in the Cerrado Biome. Latest studies have analyzed fragmentation on small basins based on the principles of Landscape Ecology. In this sense, the objective was to analyze the landscape structure and the density of remaining fragments, evaluating the degree of environmental degradation of these fragments on Caiapó River Basin (Goiás State). The methodology consisted of calculating the Kernel clustering on GIS and quantifying the landscape structure on Fragstat. Results revealed the existence of a large number of small fragments (10ha) with high levels of environmental degradation degree, and relatively distant from each other. Furthermore, the larger fragments were clustered only in the surrounding of the water springs, highlighting these areas as priority for environment conservation and preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many different countries in the world are currently seeking for more efficient and sustainable sources of energy. The biofuels are certainly the most attractive alternative, with emphasis on the sugarcane derived ethanol for its high productivity. Thus, and considering the increasing demand for ethanol in Brazil and elsewhere, sugarcane expansion is unavoidable, particularly in the Cerrado biome. Assuming that the sugarcane will expand preferentially over cultivated pastures, for both economic and environmental reasons, in this work we propose, through spatial analysis techniques, an ordainment for this expansion, based on the current sugarcane distribution and landscape constraint factors (such as topography, land-use, soil type, available infrastructure, etc), as well as in compliance with the environmental legislation. Such approach yielded a potential expansion area sixfold the area already in use, in harmony with the environment and without compromising other agricultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]